9 ways to improve KPIs: from the staff to the warehouse forklift fleet

Your KPIs might be on track, above average…or not. There’s more to running an efficient warehouse than measuring profit, loss, and targets. From your admin staff to the warehouse forklift fleet, we compiled 9 things you should look at if you’re worried about the bottom line.

The people

As we’ve said before, the people in the warehouse make the stock move and the world turn. Investing in your staff guarantees your company performance remains steady, and if you want to keep them around make sure you do these:

Analyse company culture: a welcoming workplace creates a harmonious environment. Have events, if possible, where employees from different departments can mix and enjoy themselves, from the warehouse forklift drivers to the dispatchers. Barbecues, trivia nights, and the like are always welcome occasions.

Have an ‘open door’: if there’s problems or concerns, employees go to the managers or directors…or they don’t. Approaching the upper management is intimidating. Making it known that employees can come to their superiors anytime about an issue will nip problems in the bud before they become too big.

Prioritise education: Warehouse forklift drivers need to renew their licenses, and admin staff want to advance. Investing in their training will improve workplace culture and safety, and make sure the good ones stay.

The machines

Barcode scanners, pickers, and conveyor belts; what would warehouses be without them? Be mindful of these:

Maintenance: Make sure your machines make their appointments! The forklifts, delivery trucks, and the like need regular TLC for both efficiency and productivity.

Updates: Your computer software is the backbone of invoicing, tracking, and other essentials that keep the warehouse going. Your IT department should keep track of updates that are required.

Put them away: Designate space for your warehouse forklift fleet so there’s easy handover among the drivers. There’s a place for everything, so put everything in its place!

The goals

Goals and how you meet them will show you and your staff what’s working and what needs improving . There’s more to KPIs than profit and loss.

Accuracy: Especially with inventory, accuracy is key. You can’t fulfill orders if items aren’t in the right place.

BOR: Or your backorder rate. Periods of high demand will, of course, cause orders to pile up, but this shouldn’t be constant. If it’s a common occurrence, there’s either poor communication, or the response rate is too slow.

Consider the staff: Order pickers and packers are already working at a fast rate. How can you make the targets more manageable for them? Can you create an incentive system or break one big goal into smaller, more accommodating ones?